Bright sunshine, blue sky, light breeze. Happy New Year! Altogether a perfect winter day in Ocean City, Maryland. I take it as a good omen for many more sunny days in Ocean City throughout 2009.
On this first day of the year, hundreds of hardy folks plunged into the Atlantic Ocean at 91st Street, under the watchful eyes of the Coast Guard and Ocean City Police, patrolling just offshore. It's the 15th Annual Penguin Swim to benefit the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. The air temperature was hovering right around 36 degrees. Word on the beach was that the ocean water temperature was in the 42-48 degree range.
The participants, dressed in swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts and some creative costumes, were in high spirits. At least three times as many bundled-up onlookers offered moral support and snapped pictures. Event officials repeatedly urged the spectators to stay behind the designated sidelines.
I believe the adrenalin reached a critical mass a few minutes before the scheduled starting time of 1 p.m., and the first wave of enthusiastic swimmers jumped the gun and ran for the surf. Wave after wave of participants followed. Many turned around and came right back out, but more than a few frolicked in surf for several minutes. By 1:20 p.m. it was over, and the Coast Guard boat headed south, leaving the police boat to look out for the few stragglers.
Many of the participants and onlookers crowed into the atrium of the Princess Royale Hotel to warm up and watch the awards ceremony.
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